A lot of people are having a field day attacking the Bossier City Police Department and its leadership these days.
The most recent, of course, is the case of Gerald Needham. Needham was arrested by BCPD and charged in the Norris triple murder case on the basis of an eyewitness identification. Any other evidence wasn’t released.
The case was turned over to DA Schuyler Marvin and he sought, and got, an indictment for three counts of First Degree Murder.
The case is now unraveling before their eyes, since the gun used in the murders was used by Robert Clark, Jr. in a robbery in Haughton. Marvin has indicated that Needham will be released and that Clark is a person of interest in the murder case. Needham is being held pending federal weapons charges, but the murder charges will be dropped.
This does raise serious questions. What would have happened to Needham if the weapon and the forensic evidence hadn’t given reasonable doubt to his charges? It is a serious thing, but this case also proves that the system does work.
While it doesn’t always work properly, it does correct itself when possible. That is what has happened in this case.
There is no evidence that the police tried to railroad Needham, no evidence was ‘planted’ and no officers are accused of wrongdoing in the case. In fact, it is the ‘system’ itself which discovered that the weapon used in the Haughton robbery was the same one used in the murders. It was the ‘system’, in the person of the DA, who looked at that evidence, investigated further, and said that there was nothing to tie Needham to Clark.
It is that DA who is dropping the murder charges against Needham.
As for the police, I fully believe that they acted in good faith and thought that they had arrested the right person. The fact that they made a mistake only proves that they made a mistake – not that they are guilty of any persecution of Needham.
If anyone has facts that dispute my belief, please present them. Notice, I said facts, not opinions.
As for opinions, we all have them, but BCPD and the DA are allowing the facts to drive this case, and not their feelings or opinions.
Bossier City has some of the finest police officers you will find anywhere. I have stood with them in good times and bad, and will continue to do so.
As here, and ANY OTHER court case... you general public only have the information that has been deemed acceptable to be released as "public information".... It is not even in the least little bit all of the facts. That will ONLY be available in the trail -and of course public record AFTER the trail has ended, or closed by any other means.
ReplyDeleteSo many people can criticize everyone else from the safety of the keyboard...
It is a calling to be in public service, its not for all. I am PROUD to serve and protect, even people that criticize.
The greatest thing about this country is that you have your opinion, you can voice it. Keeping folks accountable. its acceptable. As a veteran - your welcome!
Do remember - the ONLY perfect person died 2011 years ago. Until then.... pull planks from yours and others eyes.
What a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteGiven the information they had I think the cops did a good job. Hindsite is 20/20. If Copperhead did not kill these people he will not be convicted for the crime, although he probably has or will kill at some point. He is a thug who should be locked up for something.
ReplyDeleteI still believe he did it. I still believe there is a connection between the two somewhere. I glad the Feds are holding him until further evidence can be obtained. At some point the truth will come out. One of those two pulled the trigger. Like I said I still think it's Needham.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI think you're missing the point concerning the criticism of the Bossier City Police Department's leadership. The criticism has little to do with how the triple murder case was handled. It how they are currently destroying a once great police organization.
Jim, thank you, good post. There are several guys out there that appreciate your article. You are right, not all the facts in this case are released, I am sure there is more that what the Times or channel 3 has reported. Sh$& happens.
ReplyDeleteAs for the critical posts of the BCPD administration, it has nothing at all to do with the Copperhead case.
The police only need probable cause to make and arrest, not absolute proof. As far as I can see, the system worked. Further investigation determined that Needham did not commit or may not have committed the crime and the charges are being dropped.
ReplyDelete"I think you're missing the point concerning the criticism of the Bossier City Police Department's leadership. The criticism has little to do with how the triple murder case was handled."
ReplyDeleteI understand that, I'm only addressing the facts surrounding the Needham/Clark situation.
This is what I'm keeping in perspective. Marvin is and has always been more worried about politics than prosecuting criminals. Marvin is not known to go for the death penalty in murder cases. He'll tell you because it's expensive. In this case, he reviewed the evidence and found it to be so sound that he decided he would pursue the death penalty against Needham. One month later, new evidence comes about and it seems he is pretty quick to want to drop charges on Needham. Now I know I may have all the information he is looking at but it still seems a littlevquick to dismiss charges when he was certain he could get the death penalty.
ReplyDeleteI look at his group of ADA's and most of them past and present are political hires. The sweet deals they give out in criminal cases. It seems to me he want the Needham case to go away as quickly as possible now. I guarantee you he is happy the Feds are taking over for him. There are two people in custody. One of them committed triple murder and yet at this point neither one of them is charged with the crime. My perspective is he is more worried about the political aspects of this than actually trying to prosecute the one responsible at this point.
We only thought the Halphen administration was bad, it can't even hold a candle to what we're seeing now. I'd take Mike back in a minute.
ReplyDeleteDamn! I retired under Halphen, are things that bad? Can't be.
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do with the police administration!, nothing. Only a disgruntled employee or an absolute idiot would tie the two together. One has nothing to do with the other, moron.
ReplyDeleteI think Shane McWilliams is an awesome chief. He cannot immediately fix what decades have broken. He is not responsible for the impending demise of the MPERS retirement system. Thank your old chief for that.
ReplyDeleteAs for the case? Needham's arrest was a good arrest at the time, and acting on the new information is paramount to coming to the right conclusion, which is exactly what is playing out.
The justice system is working like it should. Thank God no one else was hurt.
What has "Shame" McWilliams done? NOTHING! He's a puppet.
ReplyDeletePut in your letter of resignation already. The "Me Generation" cops kill me. Stop whining about how bad you have it and do something about it. Truth is THAT department has been worse off before, but you were too busy playing your Xbox to see it. Your job is a calling, and it's obvious it ain't yours.
ReplyDeleteThe screw you I got mine mentality of the BCPD administration kills me. I remember when a couple of them were in patrol did the most bitchin'. But when they weaseled their way to the top, it's screw you time.
ReplyDeleteOk, some like McWilliams as chief and some don't. But I think we all agree Jimmy Hall is a dumba** abacus needs to go right?
ReplyDeleteI also heard a rumor today that Bubba Williams is planning on running for mayor. Please say it ain't so. Bubba, haven't you made us suffer enough? The only reason your a city councilman is because your district is the worst in the city. The majority of the people in your district are either convicted felons or illegal immigrants. If you lived in any other district you would lose big time. News Flash Bubba: your not that well liked.
NEWS FLASH:
ReplyDeleteJimmy Hoffa's body was discovered at Cane's Landing today during dirt work operations for the new casino. Construction crews unearthed the body which was in pristine shape. Also found with the body was two forms of ID and dental records. Sources say Jimmy Hall is a person of interest in this case. Sources also say Chief Shane McWilliams, and Deputy Chief James Stewart of BCPD refused comment, pending notification from Hall on what to say. Phone calls were made to Lynn Austin, for comment (as he was cleaning up the Bossier strip during that time in 1975) however no phone calls had been returned.
Give me a break with all the Jimmy Hall conspiracy theories people!
Just in:
ReplyDeleteJimmy Hall's middle school class found to be on the grassy knoll in Dallas, Texas during President Kennedy's assignation in 1963. Sources say Hall may be a person of interest. More news to follow as the story develops...
10:11,
ReplyDeleteNope. When he resigns or someone gets rid of him and gives us a break then we will stop. For far too long he has been given a free pass. Not any more. When election time comes. You elected officials will have to answer why you say back and allowed him to do the things he has done. So keep typing post Bubba. I know this is you.
Dang, you got me! You must be a detective! LOL... Tell you what, come upstairs at 0830 in the morning. Tell Donna you have an 0830 appointment, and we will go to my office and talk. You won't have to ask for anyone, just come on up. And just in case you are still confused, this is not Bubba. See you in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI would come upstairs but there are too many strings that goes from the chiefs' offices to Jimmy Hall's office I might trip over and make you spill your coffee.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous July 17, 2011 7:56 AM said...
ReplyDeleteWe only thought the Halphen administration was bad, it can't even hold a candle to what we're seeing now. I'd take Mike back in a minute.
My responce to you is, YOU ARE CRAZY or YOU ARE MIKE!
Now KSLA is reporting that DA Marvin will hold off on dropping the charges against Needham.
ReplyDeleteFirst it's Needham, then it's not, now it is again. What's the deal?
We have an incompetent boob for DA.
"It is a serious thing, but this case also proves that the system does work. "
ReplyDeleteIf Clark had not committed the crime in Haughton, Needham would still be #1 suspect in the triple murder with no other suspects in sight. If he were convicted and given the death penalty, then it could quite possibly have been an innocent man killed. The system did NOT work.
A second chance for a second look at suspects was given to the BCPD and DAs office to see if Needham really was the shooter. Without the additional crime, BCPD and DA might have really screwed the pooch.
Needham was lucky they found the gun matched Clark's. I think this case shows why the death penalty should be elminated. But for Clarks's stupidity, Needham would be headed to Death Row. The system is not working, and inncoent people have been excuted across the United States. Texas has a death case that was clearly wrong. Think about all the others we will not know about where innocent people have been excuted. That innocent blood is on all of our hands as citizens.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 2:42,
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but I sleep pretty damned good a night knowing Ted Bundy, Danny Rollings, John Wayne Gacey, Jimmy Wingo, Jimmy Glass, Humberto Leal, to name a few, aren't out there going bump in the night.
Copperhead innocent? Hah. Don't make me laugh. He has killed before. He is a piece of SH**. He may or may not have killed the three people in bossier but he is guilty of murder. He is a low life and he will never change. In jail for life or death penalty. Bossier is far better off without this a**hole on the loose.
ReplyDeleteThis stuff sickens me. Guilty or not, he needs to be in jail? Spoken from some incompetent cop who couldn't investigate his way out of a wet paper bag. Justice is justice. It's not about getting a bad a** off the street because he's a bad A**. It's about solving a crime and getting the right person. A guy who commits a triple homicide..... who are you people? and I hope you have never investigated ANYTHING!
ReplyDeleteTo Anon at 1035:
ReplyDeleteWTF. Seriously? Call in an air strike on your own position and save the world.
The reason the Bossier D.A's office under D.A. Marvin reduces everything down to little or nothing is because the conflict of interest with the Assistant D.A's. All of them are only part-time which produces a conflict of interest because they all have private practices. They lose too much money at their private practices by going to trial, so they reduce everything. "Cost the taxpayers too much money" my ass. They are just re-victimizing the victims all over again when they do this. One of two things needs to happen to change this... Get rid of Marvin or make the ADA's full time.
ReplyDeleteWe do not need so many Police Officers for Bossier City. Let there be just enough to deter violent crime. I cannot tolerate an arrogant police officer that you cannot even ask a question without the police officer accusing you of questioning his authority. There are too many arrogant narcotics officers included in this comment. I was pulled over after dropping a black ex co-worker at an apartment building. I gave him a ride home because I knew him and he needed a ride. Well after pulling out of that parking lot, narcotics pulled me over and with guns drawn verbally accused me by asking me "Where are the drugs?" I do not like giving up my rights to unwarranted search and seizure, but these narcotics officers would not believe me when I told them over and over again for 10 minutes that I do not use drugs and do not have any drugs. I let the biggest mouth idiot search my vehicle and being so arrogant, he did not even apologize but told me to get going or he would arrest me for not giving a left turn signal while pulling out of the apartment complex parking lot. I do not like BPCD and I do not like Narcotics, we are not all criminals and their "Us and Them" mentality is just police state madness. So I would love to see Bossier City go Bankrupt just to see all of these arrogant Police be fired. I have never had a problem with the Shreveport Police being this arrogant.
ReplyDelete